Hectic season leaves some prospects winded ahead of big day

Jokingly calling himself “a bit of a milk bag right now” — one of those cutting hockey chirps meant to zing an out-of-shape player — NHL prospect Stuart Percy felt a little trepidation as he approached the bench press.

Stuart Percy, surrounded by exercise physiologist technicians, works to his maximum aerobic effort at the Maximum Oxygen Uptake bike at Toronto Congress Centre, June 3, 2011.

By:Paul HunterSports Reporter, Published on Sat Jun 04 2011

Jokingly calling himself “a bit of a milk bag right now” — one of those cutting hockey chirps meant to zing an out-of-shape player — NHL prospect Stuart Percy felt a little trepidation as he approached the bench press.

It's an odd paradox for hockey players. They are in their best shape towards the end of summer when camps open. Once the games start, and the season grinds, strength training and conditioning get eroded. For juniors, the bus rides, long days of school and practice and, in Percy's case, a long playoff run to the Memorial Cup with the St. Michael's Majors, takes its toll.

There's no way to hide it, especially with dozens of NHL scouts and managers watching.

The prospect was able to push the 150-pound barbell skyward only six times. He'd done it 16 times at training camp.

“Just came off the season; no time to work out,” said the 18-year-old. “Some guys have had some time off, they've put a bit of muscle on but I'd rather be playing hockey than working out and I'm sure all the other guys would feel the same way.”

Saturday was Day 2 of physical testing in the NHL's scouting combine.

For more than 100 of the top draft-eligible teenagers in the world, it's a breath-zapping gamut of workout stations that, in theory, help clubs decide how they want to use their selections at the draft later this month.

Percy may have struggled a little with the barbell but everything else about him is on the rise.

After a tremendous performance in the Memorial Cup, where his superior passing and smart defensive play was showcased, the Oakville native's stock is skyrocketing.

NHL's central scouting has Percy ranked as the 53rd among North American Skaters. But that ranking, from April 11, now seems hopelessly outdated based on how well Percy performed through the junior post-season.

Brian Burke, the Leafs general manager, appeared to be taking a keen interest in the defenceman Friday, watching him at the various stations. When asked if he could have his opinion swayed on a player by dominant play in the Memorial Cup, Burke responded “only by 100 per cent.”

One NHL general manager, however, thought Percy would be gone by the time the Leafs draft with their 25th pick, providing they are unable to trade up. That doesn't surprise Mark Edwards, the director of scouting for hockeyprospect.com, an independent scouting service.

Edwards has Percy ranked 19th overall.

“I'll be shocked if there's not one team out of 30 that sees him the way we do and takes him somewhere around there,” he said.

Edwards says he sees Percy as the complete defensive package.

“I don't think he'll ever be a No. 1 D leading the power play but, at the same time, he's got some offensive upside. He's very smart on the power play with the puck,” said Edwards.

“Defensively is where he absolutely shines. This kid makes very, very few mental mistakes. I think he's one of the smartest hockey payers in the draft. He understands his job, the systems, where he's supposed to be, defensive zone coverage, gap control ... there's not too many weaknesses in his game.”

Percy, like any kid who grew up with blue-and-white, Leaf-logo wallpaper in his bedroom, would love to join the local team but he's just trying to enjoy the process. A GTHL product who played for both the Jr. Canadiens and the Marlies growing up, he has to pinch himself at the thought the NHL is actually beckoning.

“It was always a dream but I never figured I'd be this far in my career so early,” he said. “It's definitely humbling being with all these players because they're definitely special players. I just work my hardest.”

And there is much work still be done. Percy will be part of a group of about 40 prospects going through their paces at the Leafs practice facility Sunday. Then he'll be off to New Jersey for a similar session with the Devils next week.

Monday, however, will be a dose of reality. He'll be back at Philip Pocock Catholic Secondary School, where he is finishing off Grade 12.

“I've missed two and a half weeks because of the Memorial Cup and the combine,” he said. “I guess I'll have to really buckle down because there's only two weeks of classes left and then exams.

“There's really no time off.”

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